questions regarding HMC-150 at DVinfo.net

Mike Butir · December 27th, 2010, 08:12 PM

i currently own a sony FX1 and i primarily film weddings and have a few questions regarding the 150. some specific questions that i have are:

Does this camera have shot transition like the FX1 has?
Is there an auto audio feature on the HMC-150? i read somewhere that it didnt..
Will the HMC-150 picture quality be just like my FX1 or say AX2000? is it night and day if so?
if i wanted to achieve a more film like image would that be the HMC-150 all the way?

i hope those are specific enough.

thanks

Mark Von Lanken · December 28th, 2010, 10:36 AM

Hi Mike,

It's been a while since I shot with the FX1, but as I remember...

No the HMC150 does not have shot transition like the FX1.
No, the HMC150 does not have auto audio like the FX1.
No, the HMC150s picture quality is not just like the FX1. I greatly prefer the HMC150s picture quality over the FX1. I like AVCHD over HDV, I prefer progressive over interlaced and I greatly prefer the colors of the HMC150 over the FX1. If you want the picture quality of the FX1, you should probably consider the Sony Z5 or Z7.
In my opinion, the HMC150 does have a more film like quality over the FX1, but more than anything, film like quality comes from the shooter and not the camera.

Mike Butir · December 28th, 2010, 01:42 PM

thanks for the reply Mark,

i guess my only concern from this point is to not have that auto mode for audio. i really need o watch the levels and wear headphones. aside from that what camera do you think handles better in low light? now i know that the z5 has a 1.5 lux and that would probably perform a little better then both cameras but is the panasonic going to look better in low light then the FX1?

Mark Von Lanken · December 28th, 2010, 02:06 PM

You are welcome Mike. Yes, I went from the Sony Z1 over to the Panasonic HMC150, so I noticed I had to pay more attention to my audio levels. The HMC150 is better in low light than the FX1. Here is a link that shows side by side footage of the HMC150 and Z5. You will also find link to more info on the HMC150 and how it compares to the Z1, almost just like an FX1.
Tips & Tricks

Mike Butir · December 28th, 2010, 03:05 PM

that video helped out a lot! it seems from watching that video that the sony has more grain in low light then the panasonic does? i however cant stand grain and if that is the case it will be a pretty easy decision for me between the 150 and the z5.

Also this is really random but i thought i would ask before i forget.. is the viewfinder color?

December 27th, 2010, 08:12 PM	#1
Mike Butir Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Chicago Illinois Posts: 102	questions regarding HMC-150 i currently own a sony FX1 and i primarily film weddings and have a few questions regarding the 150. some specific questions that i have are: Does this camera have shot transition like the FX1 has? Is there an auto audio feature on the HMC-150? i read somewhere that it didnt.. Will the HMC-150 picture quality be just like my FX1 or say AX2000? is it night and day if so? if i wanted to achieve a more film like image would that be the HMC-150 all the way? i hope those are specific enough. thanks

December 28th, 2010, 10:36 AM	#2
Mark Von Lanken Major Player Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Tulsa, OK Posts: 910	Hi Mike, It's been a while since I shot with the FX1, but as I remember... No the HMC150 does not have shot transition like the FX1. No, the HMC150 does not have auto audio like the FX1. No, the HMC150s picture quality is not just like the FX1. I greatly prefer the HMC150s picture quality over the FX1. I like AVCHD over HDV, I prefer progressive over interlaced and I greatly prefer the colors of the HMC150 over the FX1. If you want the picture quality of the FX1, you should probably consider the Sony Z5 or Z7. In my opinion, the HMC150 does have a more film like quality over the FX1, but more than anything, film like quality comes from the shooter and not the camera. __________________ Mark Von Lanken www.VonWeddingFilms.com

December 28th, 2010, 02:06 PM	#4
Mark Von Lanken Major Player Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Tulsa, OK Posts: 910	You are welcome Mike. Yes, I went from the Sony Z1 over to the Panasonic HMC150, so I noticed I had to pay more attention to my audio levels. The HMC150 is better in low light than the FX1. Here is a link that shows side by side footage of the HMC150 and Z5. You will also find link to more info on the HMC150 and how it compares to the Z1, almost just like an FX1. Tips & Tricks __________________ Mark Von Lanken www.VonWeddingFilms.com

December 28th, 2010, 01:42 PM	#3
Mike Butir Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Chicago Illinois Posts: 102	thanks for the reply Mark, i guess my only concern from this point is to not have that auto mode for audio. i really need o watch the levels and wear headphones. aside from that what camera do you think handles better in low light? now i know that the z5 has a 1.5 lux and that would probably perform a little better then both cameras but is the panasonic going to look better in low light then the FX1?

December 28th, 2010, 03:05 PM	#5
Mike Butir Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Chicago Illinois Posts: 102	that video helped out a lot! it seems from watching that video that the sony has more grain in low light then the panasonic does? i however cant stand grain and if that is the case it will be a pretty easy decision for me between the 150 and the z5. Also this is really random but i thought i would ask before i forget.. is the viewfinder color?